Explore1 and Flight1 Failsafes

This article covers error statuses that may be generated by Flight1 or Explore1. If you are experiencing an error or an unexpected behavior with your Flight1 app or Explore1 drone, please review the below for suggestions on how to resolve it.

Try these steps first

Often times you can resolve errors by following one of the below steps:

Restart Flight1 iOS App

The Flight1 app connection to the Explore1 drone may be interrupted by several factors and usually Flight1 will try to reconnect automatically. If the Explore1 is executing a mission, this will not affect the autonomous mission or data in any way and your Explore1 should still continue to respond to the RC. However, if the Flight1 app is unable to reconnect or you see an alert message appear, please try the following:

Kill the Flight1 iOS App:

Double tap iPad home button

Swipe Flight1 App screen to the right

Disconnect USB Cable from iPad

Tap Flight1 App to re-open

Connect USB cable to iPad

Power-cycle Explore1 unit

The Explore1 has several CPUs from Skycatch and DJI that in some very rare cases may fail to communicate with each other, and this can cause error notifications on Flight1. The easiest way to resolve this is to power-cycle the whole system in the following order:

Kill Flight1 iOS App

Turn off Explore1

Turn off RC

Wait 30 seconds

Turn on RC

Wait 10 seconds

Turn on Explore1

Launch Flight1 iOS App

Check DJI Go

The Explore1 drone uses hardware built and developed by DJI, sometimes these components will need to be updated. This can be checked very easily by opening the DJI GO app while Explore1 is powered on, connected to the iPad, and the iPad has an active internet connection. In addition, DJI GO can display more messages or indications that are valuable to the user and Skycatch support.

Put battery in a isolated area away from any persons or flammable objects

When safe to do so, dispose of the battery and contact Skycatch support

Hardware Failure

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Motor failure

Explore1 will detect any HW malfunction, prevent take off, and will send a notification to Flight1 and DJI Go

Open DJI Go to see the error message and contact Skycatch support

Propeller Failure

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Propeller is not properly installed

Explore1 will detect any HW malfunction, preventing take off and will send a notification to Flight1 and DJI Go.

Remove and reinstall all the propellers

Explore1 shows as M100 in Flight1

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Loss of communication with Air1 on the Explore1

Explore1 will detect any HW malfunction preventing take off and will send a notification to Flight1 and DJI Go - do not take off

Kill the Flight1 app and power cycle the system as recommended above. If the issue persists, contact Skycatch support

Camera is not taking pictures

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Air1 camera error

Flight1 will prevent take off if condition occurs during mission planning, and will initiate RTH if condition occurs during flight. Manually initiate RTH

Power cycle Explore1 and wait for Air1 LED to be green before take off

PPK / GPS Timeout

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Explore1 is in the process of acquiring a PPK / GPS Fix

Weather conditions

Electronic or magnetic interference

Flight1 will prevent take off if condition occurs during mission planning, and will initiate RTH if condition occurs during flight.

Restart Flight1 iOS App and power-cycle the Explore1 as recommended above. If the issue persists, contact Skycatch support

Navigation GNSS fix lost

Cause

Fail-Safe Action

Solution

Low satellite reception or availability

Weather conditions

Electric or magnetic interference

Flight1 will prevent take off. If condition occurs during mission planning, Explore1 will switch to altitude hold if condition occurs during flight.

If the Explore1 switches to altitude hold due to lack of GNSS fix, the Explore1 will hold the position until sufficient number of satellites has been achieved. If this is not achieved, the pilot will need to manually fly the Explore1 home. Once the Explore1 lands, the mission will need to be restarted. If issue persists, contact Skycatch support

Flight1 Fail-Safe actions

Flight1 lost connection to EX1

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

Failed connection between the iPad and remote controller

Explore1 will continue mission while solution gets implemented

Verify the following items:

1. Cable from Remote Control to iPad is properly connected

2. Open DJI GO App, verify that the iPad, RC, and Explore1 are connected

Flight1 app crashed

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

Flight1 error

Explore1 will continue mission while solution gets implemented

Restart the app, if app continues to crash please contact Skycatch support

No Explore1 position in Flight1

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

Connection failure between Explore1 and Flight1

Flight1 will prevent take off if condition occurs during mission planning

If flying, Explore1 will continue mission while solution gets implemented

Verify the following items:

1. Cable from Remote Control to iPad is properly connected

2. Open DJI GO App, verify that the iPad, RC, and Explore1 are connected

iPad Fail-Safe actions

iPad turns off

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

iPad battery failure or low battery

Explore1 will continue mission

Manually engage RTH on the RC Recharge iPad while in the shade, turn on iPad and continue or resume mission

iPad crashes

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

iPad is too hot

Explore1 will continue mission

Manually engage RTH on the RC. Wait for iPad to cool down while in the shade and continue or resume mission

RC Fail-Safe actions

Lost link with Explore1

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

Range (greater than 2km)

Radio frequency, electric, or magnetic frequency interference

Weather conditions

Explore1 will initiate RTH

Move closer to flight area and resume flight upon reconnection.

Open DJI GO App, verify that the iPad, RC, and Explore1 are connected

RC turned off

Cause

Fail-Safe action

Solution

RC battery depleted

Explore1 will initiate RTH

Recharge RC and resume mission

For more information about how to use Skycatch devices, please visit the Skycatch Support Center. If you do not see the issue you’re experiencing or the solution did not resolve the problem, please contact Skycatch Support at support@skycatch.com and we will gladly help you.